Chapter 626: Fireball - The Quest for Immortality

Chapter 626: Fireball Mo Hua first went to the Meritorious Service Pavilion to find the Gongxun Elder and request materials for a second-tier formation. The Gongxun Elder treated other disciples with a strictly business-like demeanor. Yet, whenever he saw Mo Hua, he would find him intriguing and couldn't help but pay extra attention. He glanced at Mo Hua's Tai Xu Token, puzzled: "You can now take on second-tier beginner formations?" Mo Hua nodded, but in his heart thought: I've been capable for a long time! Not just beginner second-tier formations, I can handle intermediate second-tier ones too! It's just that you wouldn't let me! Though he had to "lower his status" and "stoop" to creating mere second-tier ten-lined formations, Mo Hua felt a bit slighted inside. The Gongxun Elder clicked his tongue in awe. "Remarkable..." Even at the prestigious Tai Xu Sect, there was no shortage of formation geniuses. Still, having the ability to undertake a second-tier formation task shortly after initiation, even if it was just ten lines, was no small feat. Moreover, Mo Hua was quite young and looked even younger. "However, something isn't right…" the Gongxun Elder frowned, "You haven't been graded, have you?" The formation master's grading is significant. It benefits the sect by enhancing its ranking, which affects Tai Xu Sect's share of the spirit mines in the Qianxue Province. The Gongxun Elder was a bit puzzled. Names of disciples who pass their formation master grading are sent to the Meritorious Service Pavilion. He should have seen them, but he hadn't seen Mo Hua's name. Mo Hua, with his authority modified by Elder Xun, felt confident and unafraid of scrutiny. If anyone was to blame, it would be Elder Xun first. Mo Hua honestly said, "I haven't." "Then this…" The Gongxun Elder frowned, suddenly realizing, "Once again, it's Elder Xun giving you a bypass?" Mo Hua nodded, "Yes!" The Gongxun Elder sighed. Such impudence, ignoring the sect rules—such things could be altered at will. But since the one who altered it was Elder Xun… It's hard to say whether this is actually against the rules… The Gongxun Elder couldn't help but mentally scold Elder Xun for being too biased, extremely indulgent with this child. Allowing him to undertake second-tier tasks without being formally graded. Such "premature" indulgence is ultimately detrimental… The Gongxun Elder couldn't refrain from thinking critically. Mo Hua watched him silently for a while and asked quietly, "Elder, what are you pondering?" Hurry up and give me the formation materials… Why are you spacing out… The Gongxun Elder snapped back, hesitated briefly, then sighed, handing Mo Hua the ink and formation diagram materials, thinking: "Forget it, Elder Xun's intentions are beyond my control..." But second-tier formations aren’t easily crafted. Undertaking second-tier tasks without grading risks messing up eventually. Hopefully, this child won't fail his task and become a laughingstock… Turning another thought, youthful mistakes can be beneficial, providing life lessons that teach formations aren't so simple… Thus, the Gongxun Elder was reassured. Mo Hua, with materials in hand, began drawing upon returning. The first-tier Flower Fire Formation was something he could draw blindfolded. Yet, this formation was slightly different, with modified lines and some variants. Simple and crude, the person who modified it wasn't skilled, but they were undeniably earnest. According to the notes, this Flower Fire Formation was meant for a floating lantern. As the lantern ascends and the formation activates, firework-like brilliance erupts, as beautiful as blooming pear forests. It even displayed some words. They were love poems. Mo Hua immediately understood that some male disciple in the sect had designed this lantern specifically to woo a female disciple. Mo Hua scoffed, "Such embellishment…” This formation is an entry-level second-tier formation, rarely used. Officially graded second-tier formation masters wouldn't deign to draw them for merely seven or eight merit points. Nor did Mo Hua deign to. But sometimes, when under someone’s roof, one must bow their head. He had to start with the simplest formations. Thankfully, this formation was exceedingly simple. Mo Hua spent some spare time completing it swiftly, wasting little time. By evening, he delivered the formation to the Meritorious Service Pavilion. The Gongxun Elder, seeing Mo Hua, was visibly taken aback, concerned, "Did something go wrong with your drawing?" Back so quickly. Did he make a mistake and need more paper and ink? Surely not completed this quickly… Mo Hua felt helpless, "Elder, can't you have some faith in me…" It’s just a ten-lined second-tier formation. Mo Hua couldn't fathom how he’d fail. Unless he'd gotten drunk from fruit wine… But those fruit wines had limited alcohol; he couldn't get drunk. "I completed it!" The counter was high, and Mo Hua stood on his tiptoes with pride. The Gongxun Elder was astonished. Completed? He opened the storage bag Mo Hua handed in, inspecting the formation inside, finding it impeccable—neat penmanship, elegant lines—clearly worked on with care, nothing like a casual piece. The Gongxun Elder cast a doubtful glance at Mo Hua, "You drew this yourself?" "No," Mo Hua shook his head, "I spent my merit to hire senior brothers and sisters to draw it for me." The Gongxun Elder paused, almost pondering if Mo Hua was telling the truth… Finally, he couldn't help it, ruffling Mo Hua’s hair. "You little rascal, having fun with me, are you…" Mo Hua clutched his head, exasperated, "If I told you seriously, would you believe it…" The Gongxun Elder mumbled, "You crafty child!" Mo Hua chuckled. The Gongxun Elder verified the formation and awarded the merit points for the Flower Fire Formation to Mo Hua. Not many, only nine points. Although the Flower Fire Formation was a second-tier formation, it was too simple. But it was at least a good start. Mo Hua continued looking for formation tasks in the Tai Xu Token’s system. He wanted to take on eleven to thirteen-lined formations, but others wouldn’t allow it; hence, Mo Hua had to settle for ten-lined formations. To Mo Hua's surprise, the Meritorious Service Pavilion suddenly listed several more second-tier ten-lined Flower Fire Formation tasks. It seemed that the flower lantern trick for wooing female disciples worked, drawing many male disciples to imitate. Even female disciples seemed to follow suit, gifting them to senior and junior brothers. Mo Hua shook his head, accepting all tasks with a smile. He worked quickly and well; soon, some disciples contacted him through the Tai Xu Token, asking for help drawing the Flower Fire Formations. Mo Hua didn’t refuse any requests. Still, he couldn’t help but criticize in his heart: These disciples neglect their cultivation in favor of such trifling romantic pensiveness, what little ambition. He silently despised their poorly designed lanterns, lacking technical sophistication. If only little senior sister were nearby, he’d make her a grand, splendid lantern to show them all a thing or two… Thus, Mo Hua drew more and more ten-lined Flower Fire Formations. Due to his excellent drawings and variety, some disciples added special requests, like using formation lines to display colorful words. These words seemed to have a concealed "encryption" using magnetic lines, not easily discernible from the plain formation lines, likely to avoid being noticed. However, such petty tricks couldn’t deceive Mo Hua. Without even deducing, simply by "reading" the lines, he grasped the words they intended. Words like "endless love, forever," "hold your hand, grow old together," "hope to accompany you, into infinity, with no regrets…” There were some cheesy ones like, "grow old with you, life's journey not in vain"… Mo Hua was embarrassingly amused. Nevertheless, he discreetly noted these honeyed words, thinking he might find use for them someday. After half a month crafting ten-lined formations, Mo Hua amassed over two hundred merit points. His "credentials" as a second-tier beginner formation master solidified, with additional details listed under the title. Finally, he could take on eleven-lined tasks. Mo Hua was delighted. An eleven-lined formation wasn’t hard either. After accepting, Mo Hua completed it quickly and skillfully once again. Once there was a beginning, more followed. Gradually, other disciples began to accept Mo Hua's task "applications". Requests came in for ten-lined and eleven-lined formations alike. Just like pebbles cast into a deep pool, creating ripples. Mo Hua's title of "Formation Master" slowly started gaining recognition among the disciples using the Tai Xu Token. Some disciples began to acknowledge Mo Hua's proficiency in formations. Moreover, a number of disciples would specifically "invite" Mo Hua to take on their bounties. Mo Hua was pleased, feeling that these fellow brothers and sisters truly had good judgment. During his spare time, he still teamed up with Senior Sister Mu Rong for tasks. Meanwhile, he continued working on formation tasks. As Mo Hua completed more and more formation tasks, his "resume" thickened and the task difficulty gradually increased. From ten lines, to eleven lines, then twelve, and finally reaching thirteen lines… A thirteen-lined formation is the most challenging at the beginner level of the second tier. Nonetheless, Mo Hua never failed, even producing works superior to some officially graded formation masters. Gradually, Mo Hua became somewhat "notorious". Some disciples who invited him to draw formations, unaware of his exact rank, respectfully referred to him as "Brother Mo", speaking with great courtesy. Sometimes, when Mo Hua was unavailable, they would patiently wait for him. To have Mo Hua personally draw their formations, they even added a few extra merit points—not much, only a few, but a clear acknowledgment. Upon further investigation, Mo Hua learned that some second-tier formation masters outsourced their tasks. They would first accept the tasks, and if unable to complete them, hire ungraded juniors with eleven or twelve lines capability to help. They then divided the earned merit points proportionally. Thus, some disciples added merit points to ensure Mo Hua would personally craft their formation. Fearful that Mo Hua, once he accepted the task, would simply outsource it like others might. Mo Hua shook his head. Completing formation tasks was essentially like being given resources to practice formations. He couldn't even get his fill himself, so why would he let others draw… From ten lines all the way up to thirteen lines. The Gongxun Elder at the Meritorious Service Pavilion watched everything unfold. When he personally witnessed Mo Hua taking the paper and ink for a thirteen-lined formation, then flawlessly completing it the next day and delivering it to him. The Gongxun Elder’s expression changed. He looked at Mo Hua, and couldn't help the twitch of his eyelids. Only then did he realize that this seemingly unassuming and obedient kid was genuinely a bona fide second-tier beginner formation master! A foundation-stage, second-tier beginner formation master… The Gongxun Elder was amazed. No wonder… Elder Xun valued this child so highly, even bending the rules to grant him privileges… Such astonishing formation talent indeed warranted nurturing. Moreover, despite having privileges, Mo Hua handled tasks diligently. Though a backdoor was used to open privileges, all formations were drawn by him and merit points earned by him. The Gongxun Elder nodded, his demeanor softening, increasingly appreciating Mo Hua. Occasionally, he even waived some cumbersome formalities for Mo Hua. Taking and submitting tasks became progressively easier for Mo Hua. Generally, a thirteen-lined formation task could yield about twenty merit points. Such tasks weren't always available, but whenever they were, Mo Hua completed them within half a day. Consequently, his merit points soared, accumulating rapidly. Mo Hua used his gathered merit points to exchange for several sixteen-lined formations. Now he had enough merit points, nearly sufficient for self-sustenance, learning various formations recorded by Tai Xu Sect, with substantial surplus remaining. The formations Mo Hua mastered increased, as did the strength of his spiritual sense. Due to capturing more and more criminals, he also acquired numerous spells, selecting and learning several. Like Golden Blade Art, Wood Poison Art, Flowing Sand Art, and others. These spells were subpar in grade but were considered treasured by sects across Qianxue Province, refined and extracted essences of numerous spells… In a sense, they represented superior lineage. And because the spells were of a lower grade, Mo Hua could use them freely without fear of trouble. The only issue was that these spells lacked significant power. Somewhat inferior even to his original Fireball Spell. Low-tier spells weren't known for their power, something Mo Hua understood, but still found disappointing. Currently, it seemed he lacked any potent finishing move. Demolishing large formations was too cumbersome, overly powerful, with too many restrictions—too conspicuous to be practical for ordinary combat. Employing spiritual ink to set up killing formations required opportunity, surprise, and careful orchestration; the deployment was inherently slow. Moreover, this method of setting traps was quite unique, far from discreet. Setting formations also consumed spiritual ink and burnt spiritual stones. Occasional use was fine, but frequent employment would bankrupt him… "It would be ideal to learn a spell with decent power, a low grade, moderate spiritual energy consumption, quick casting, and safe to display openly…" Mo Hua pondered for a long time without a breakthrough. One evening, after dinner, Mo Hua lay on the grass with Yu'er, watching the brilliant ink-like sunset over Mount Tai Xu. He was still mulling over spells. Unconsciously, evening descended, the sunset dimmed, and the sun dipped below the horizon. The last burst of sunlight captured in its descent resembled interwoven fires, momentarily intensifying before fading. Firelight, interwoven… sunset… Mo Hua's eyelids twitched as a long-buried memory emerged. It was during his travels, by the river Si, when asking Grandpa Kui for spell guidance… Grandpa Kui opened his palm, and a fireball appeared… The fireball displayed a gaseous pale red, guided by spiritual sense, compressed within to form a deep red flame thread. This flame thread contained incredible spiritual power, hovering mid-air. Then another fireball appeared in Grandpa Kui’s hand, condensed again into a flame thread. Again, he condensed a fireball into a flame thread… Ten or so rounds later, Grandpa Kui’s hand bore not fireballs but over a dozen deep red, intensely hot flame threads. In the end, these threads intertwined to form a small fireball. This fireball spell, with threads entwined, resembled a mesh of fire woven into a ball of spiritual thread. Multiple compressions, spiritual energy reconstruction. A seemingly simple fireball spell, yet imbued with mystery. Grandpa Kui casually flicked his hand, sending this fireball flying into the river, causing the surface to boil instantly. A large river, a vast lake surface, was evaporated by this little fireball spell into a massive void. Mist formed from surrounding steam, heat emanating. Moments later, river waters gushed back. The once calm river transformed into a huge vortex… … This scene kept replaying in Mo Hua’s mind. Simultaneously, Grandpa Kui's words echoed in his ears: "Complex principles of spells often hide within the simplest, most ordinary things…" Multiple compressions, spiritual energy reformation, condensed into a fireball, harboring immense power… Mo Hua was astonished: "What exactly, kind of fireball spell is this…" Certainly! Let's continue from where we left off on the translation style: Once Mo Hua grasped the intricacies and potential of the Fireball Spell as demonstrated by Grandpa Kui, he realized the simplicity of the spell belied its true power. Connecting this with the vibrant sunset he witnessed with Yu'er, he felt inspired to explore this profound method further. This seminal moment drove him to contemplate adapting the foundational principles of the fireball to amplify his combative arsenal discreetly and efficiently. As Mo Hua's reputation grew among his peers within Tai Xu Sect, his interactions with fellow disciples became more frequent and respectful, allowing him to exchange ideas and gather new strategies from this diverse array of talent. With newfound determination, Mo Hua sought to refine not only his spellwork but also his understanding of the elemental forces at play, synthesizing both foundational mastery with innovative alchemy. He resolved to deepen his studies, balancing the pursuit of formidable techniques with the practical necessities of discipleship. Mo Hua's journey into mastering these elemental arts promised to not only fortify his position within the sect but also provide unforeseen innovations in handling adversarial challenges in the cultivation world. This realization brought a new dawn of possibilities as Mo Hua endeavored to forge a path where traditional and contemporary methodologies unified, ensuring that both his wisdom and skills were wielded with impeccable accuracy and high impact. Now clear on his trajectory, Mo Hua embraced the challenge of mastering this variant of the fireball, positioning himself as a formidable strategist and proactive innovator among the Tai Xu disciples.